Poisonous Picnic

Egyptian painted relief

Long before watermelon became a refreshing summer treat, reliefs adorning the walls of ancient Egyptian tombs suggest the fruit was a coveted delicacy. However, exactly when the species of watermelon commonly consumed today, Citrullus lanatus, became the beloved emerald-skinned fruit with white stripes and a sweet red interior is unclear. In fact, its 6,000-year-old predecessor’s pulp wasn’t very tasty and was potentially hazardous. “It actually could have killed